Residents weigh in on CSD capital project

Residents of the Skaneateles school district took an opportunity on Monday, Sept. 23 to ask questions and give comments to the board of education on a proposed $2.6 million capital project.

The special meeting was called to give residents a chance (which they will also have at the board’s Oct. 1 meeting) to give input on the project before its scope is finalized at the board’s Oct. 15 meeting.

When the board held informational meetings on its failed $22.5 million project last spring it had already finalized what would and would not be included on the proposal, this time they will have some time to consider their options beforehand, Carlson said.

Prior to hearing comments Interim Superintendent of Schools Judy Pastel and Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance Dale Bates provided more information on what the project would include, the timeline for its completion and the tax impact.

The total cost of the project – which deals exclusively with work to the high school/middle school building – is estimated to be $2,685,877.

That total includes: $1,714,324 for roof replacements, $549,533 for masonry restoration, $117,757 for window sealing/caulking (including a window wall in the commons area built in 2000), $102,056 for reconstruction of a boiler room areaway used for air intake and $94,206 for safety and security upgrades. The totals were estimated by the district’s architect and include allowances for incidental costs.

The bond amount includes $108,000 of “capitalized interest” which is to cover the first debt service payment on the bond and will avoid the bond having an impact on the general fund or tax levy for the 2014-15 school year, Bates said.

Of the total cost of the project, the district anticipates that about 60 percent of the construction costs will be covered by state aid for building projects. The other 40 percent will be paid for by the local tax payers.